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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Waymo Expands Novi, Michigan Operations Hub

01/23/2019
Waymo, a rapidly growing self-driving technology company established in 2016 as a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is expanding its operations hub in Novi, Michigan.

Waymo is looking to locate its vehicle integration operations in Michigan where it will integrate its self-driving systems into the vehicle platforms of its OEM partners, according to Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The company plans to locate into a ready-to-go, light manufacturing facility space at a yet-to-be-determined location in Southeast Michigan that will support its capacity expansion plans.

The project is expected to generate total private investment of $13.6 million and create 100 jobs with the potential for up to 400 jobs, resulting in a Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant of up to $8 million. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in a number of other states.

“With recent announcements like KLA-Tencor, Samsung, and Waymo today, we continue to see increased interest in Silicon Valley companies looking to relocate or expand into Michigan,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of MEDC, the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF. “The jobs, both direct and indirect, created by these companies will further expand Michigan’s high-tech, R&D and engineering footprint today and position us for future growth.”

In addition to MSF support, MICHauto, an economic development initiative of the Detroit Regional Chamber, has offered to elevate Waymo’s engagement and participation in MICHauto.

“In 2016, Waymo selected Novi as the location for its first Michigan mobility development center. Having Waymo choose to yet again invest in the Detroit region for its second mobility operation, is validation of our business case as a leading global center for technology development and integration,” said Detroit Regional Partnership Vice President, Business Attraction Justin Robinson. “We were excited to have the opportunity to compete for and win this project and value the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and MICHauto in helping to close this deal.”

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